New United States House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana gets
a ringing endorsement from northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves.

Graves, a fellow Republican, calls Johnson a friend who he has
known for some time.

“He’s going to make a great Speaker, he really is,” Graves
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview. “He’s conservative. He thinks
through things before he jumps to a decision and I think he’s going to make a
great Speaker.”

It took the Republican Caucus three weeks and four candidates
for find a replacement for Kevin McCarthy, the first Speaker to be
unceremoniously removed from office after angering staunch conservatives for
fashioning a compromise with President Joe Biden and Democrats to keep the
federal government running.

Graves says Republicans settled on Johnson for a number of
reasons, one being that he is conservative.

“He hasn’t acquired a lot of enemies in his time here in
Congress and so that obviously helped him,” Graves says. “It’s just a matter of
finding the right person. Sometimes it takes a little time and it can be
painful along the way, but here we are. We’ve got him and now we’re off and
running.”

The full House voted 220-to-209 for Johnson to replace McCarthy.

Graves backed McCarthy and then threw his support behind the
candidacy of Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Graves admits it was a
rough three weeks.

“It’s obviously been very tiring, very frustrating at many
times,” Graves acknowledges. “Just the whole process from the beginning was unfortunate.
That’s the way our system is set up and the way our Founding Fathers put it
together. They had a contingency for this. The process worked and we’ve got a Speaker
now and we’re back to regular order.”

And regular order, according to Graves, is getting back to
approving a federal budget for the fiscal year. Graves says the Republican
Caucus must push for more budget cuts to rein in federal spending.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698347291654.jpeg" alt="House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNew United States House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana gets
a ringing endorsement from northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves.Graves, a fellow Republican, calls Johnson a friend who he has
known for some time.“He’s going to make a great Speaker, he really is,” Graves
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview. “He’s conservative. He thinks
through things before he jumps to a decision and I think he’s going to make a
great Speaker.”It took the Republican Caucus three weeks and four candidates
for find a replacement for Kevin McCarthy, the first Speaker to be
unceremoniously removed from office after angering staunch conservatives for
fashioning a compromise with President Joe Biden and Democrats to keep the
federal government running.Graves says Republicans settled on Johnson for a number of
reasons, one being that he is conservative.“He hasn’t acquired a lot of enemies in his time here in
Congress and so that obviously helped him,” Graves says. “It’s just a matter of
finding the right person. Sometimes it takes a little time and it can be
painful along the way, but here we are. We’ve got him and now we’re off and
running.”The full House voted 220-to-209 for Johnson to replace McCarthy.Graves backed McCarthy and then threw his support behind the
candidacy of Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Graves admits it was a
rough three weeks.“It’s obviously been very tiring, very frustrating at many
times,” Graves acknowledges. “Just the whole process from the beginning was unfortunate.
That’s the way our system is set up and the way our Founding Fathers put it
together. They had a contingency for this. The process worked and we’ve got a Speaker
now and we’re back to regular order.”And regular order, according to Graves, is getting back to
approving a federal budget for the fiscal year. Graves says the Republican
Caucus must push for more budget cuts to rein in federal spending.The Associated Press contributed to this story.

New US House Speaker praised by northern Missouri Congressman Graves

A St. Joseph man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in the St. Joseph area. 

50-year-old Harvey E Johnson has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole.  The court also ordered Johnson to forfeit $43,200 to the government which represents the money from illegally trafficking drugs.  

Johnson pleaded guilty in August of 2021 to participating in the conspiracy to distribute heroin in the St. Joseph area between September of 2019 and March of 2021. 

Johnson was in possession of approximately 51 grams of heroin when he was arrested in March of 2021 after fleeing from law enforcement officers in a high-speed car chase.  Reports state Johnson was responsible for distributing at least 2,835 kilograms of heroin. 

Johnson was on state parole following his conviction on drug charges during his involvement in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendant 50-year-old Roderick A. Hughes, also of St. Joseph, was sentenced earlier this month. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in the St. Joseph area. 50-year-old Harvey E Johnson has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Johnson to forfeit $43,200 to the government which represents the money from illegally trafficking drugs. Johnson pleaded guilty in August of 2021 to participating in the conspiracy to distribute heroin in the St. Joseph area between September of 2019 and March of 2021. Johnson was in possession of approximately 51 grams of heroin when he was arrested in March of 2021 after fleeing from law enforcement officers in a high-speed car chase. Reports state Johnson was responsible for distributing at least 2,835 kilograms of heroin. Johnson was on state parole following his conviction on drug charges during his involvement in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendant 50-year-old Roderick A. Hughes, also of St. Joseph, was sentenced earlier this month.

St. Joseph man charged in federal court for role in conspiracy to distribute heroin

Officials with the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety are continuing to encourage drivers to not be distracted.  

MoDOT Northwest District Engineer Marty Liles says they are continuing to urge drivers to remember to do two things as they hit the roadways 

"Buckle up and ensure you always have your seat belt on and two as you're driving keep your phones down, pay attention to what you need to be doing, which is traveling down a roadway," Liles tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

The state of Missouri recently enacted a Hands-Free Law, prohibiting drivers from using their cell phones unless it’s with a hands-free device. 

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol says currently the patrol is working to educate drivers that get pulled over for using their cell phone. 

"They are grateful for the education part of it, and we are not taking any type of enforcement action, rather giving them a warning, until January 1st, 2025, just to allow us to continue that educational process," Hux explains. 

The new hands-free law states that drivers cannot use their phones unless it's through a hands-free device or for purposes such as GPS. 

Liles says the Coalition of Roadway Safety is constantly in schools teaching kids the importance of buckling up, no matter how far they are traveling. 

"And how that can actually save their life, in hopes that not only they realize that, and they start creating that habit for themselves but maybe they can instill that habit into their parents as well," Liles says. 

The coalition aimed to raise awareness of the Buckle Up Phone Down challenge during the seventh annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day on Wednesday 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698345970643.jpeg" alt="The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety issued the Buckle Up, Phone Down challenge during the seventh annual Buckle Up, Phone Down day/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety issued the Buckle Up, Phone Down challenge during the seventh annual Buckle Up, Phone Down day/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Officials with the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety are continuing to encourage drivers to not be distracted. MoDOT Northwest District Engineer Marty Liles says they are continuing to urge drivers to remember to do two things as they hit the roadways "Buckle up and ensure you always have your seat belt on and two as you're driving keep your phones down, pay attention to what you need to be doing, which is traveling down a roadway," Liles tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. The state of Missouri recently enacted a Hands-Free Law, prohibiting drivers from using their cell phones unless it’s with a hands-free device. Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol says currently the patrol is working to educate drivers that get pulled over for using their cell phone. "They are grateful for the education part of it, and we are not taking any type of enforcement action, rather giving them a warning, until January 1st, 2025, just to allow us to continue that educational process," Hux explains. The new hands-free law states that drivers cannot use their phones unless it's through a hands-free device or for purposes such as GPS. Liles says the Coalition of Roadway Safety is constantly in schools teaching kids the importance of buckling up, no matter how far they are traveling. "And how that can actually save their life, in hopes that not only they realize that, and they start creating that habit for themselves but maybe they can instill that habit into their parents as well," Liles says. The coalition aimed to raise awareness of the Buckle Up Phone Down challenge during the seventh annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day on Wednesday

Safety officials have two-prong message:  Buckle Up, Phone Down

KANSAS CITY — A&nbsp;former Kansas City police detective&nbsp;convicted in the 2019 death of a Black man is now in custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Eric&nbsp;DeValkenaere, 45, is being held in the Western Reception and Diagnostic Corrections&nbsp; Center in St. Joseph, according to online jail records.

Last week,&nbsp;DeValkenaere's attorney announced he&nbsp; plans another appeal in the case. The&nbsp;lawyer asked appeals court judges to reinstate&nbsp;DeValkenaere's bond so he can remain free pending requests for a rehearing or an appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.

The former officer had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">free on bond</a>&nbsp;during his initial appeal, but judges revoked bond after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-974b3aa6e4736005b553672489bb46ea">upholding his conviction</a>&nbsp;of second-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.

DeValkenaere surrendered himself October 17 and was transferred from a Platte County jail to state prison this week.

Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office supports DeValkenaere's bond request. Bailey has played&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/detective-fatal-shooting-attorney-general-appeal-16957c1b9f09d91e17e3a3cfb75c1a07">an unusual role</a>&nbsp;in the former detective's case, in June asking the appeals court to reverse DeValkenaere’s conviction or order a new trial. In Missouri, the attorney general’s office handles criminal appeals and typically defends convictions, rather than appealing them.

Rumors have swirled that Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson was considering pardoning or granting clemency to DeValkenaere, although on Tuesday spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett said in an email that the governor is “assessing the situation” and no decision has been reached on whether to grant a pardon.

Lamb’s stepfather, Aqil Bey, during an October 18, press conference asked Parson to think about Lamb when deciding whether to pardon DeValkenaere.

“We pray that he take into consideration who Cameron Lamb was, what he would offer this city and could offer this city as an upstanding citizen (and) as a father to his children,” Bey said.

Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project founder Steve Young asked supporters to call Parson and request that he not pardon DeValkenaere.

“He has one foot in and one foot out (of jail),” Young said. “Who gets that kind of privilege?”

DeValkenaere, who is white, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">found guilty</a>&nbsp;in 2021 in the death of Lamb, who was parking a pickup truck in his backyard in Kansas City when the officer shot him.

The judge who found DeValkenaere guilty in a bench trial said police were the initial aggressors and had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.

Prosecutors and Lamb’s family have alleged a handgun was planted after the shooting, but that issue was not addressed by Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge J. Dale Youngs when he convicted the detective.

On October 16, a three-judge panel ruled unanimously there had been enough evidence to convict DeValkenaere. He had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">sentenced to three years</a>&nbsp;in prison for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.

Police said DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, went to Lamb’s home after reports he'd been chasing his girlfriend’s convertible in a stolen pickup truck. DeValkenaere said he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective. The judge said the officers had no probable cause to believe any crime had been committed, had no warrant for Lamb’s arrest, and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698332674249.png" alt="DeValkenaere photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>DeValkenaere photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A&nbsp;former Kansas City police detective&nbsp;convicted in the 2019 death of a Black man is now in custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections.Eric&nbsp;DeValkenaere, 45, is being held in the Western Reception and Diagnostic Corrections&nbsp; Center in St. Joseph, according to online jail records.Last week,&nbsp;DeValkenaere's attorney announced he&nbsp; plans another appeal in the case. The&nbsp;lawyer asked appeals court judges to reinstate&nbsp;DeValkenaere's bond so he can remain free pending requests for a rehearing or an appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.The former officer had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">free on bond</a>&nbsp;during his initial appeal, but judges revoked bond after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-974b3aa6e4736005b553672489bb46ea">upholding his conviction</a>&nbsp;of second-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.DeValkenaere surrendered himself October 17 and was transferred from a Platte County jail to state prison this week.Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office supports DeValkenaere's bond request. Bailey has played&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/detective-fatal-shooting-attorney-general-appeal-16957c1b9f09d91e17e3a3cfb75c1a07">an unusual role</a>&nbsp;in the former detective's case, in June asking the appeals court to reverse DeValkenaere’s conviction or order a new trial. In Missouri, the attorney general’s office handles criminal appeals and typically defends convictions, rather than appealing them.Rumors have swirled that Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson was considering pardoning or granting clemency to DeValkenaere, although on Tuesday spokesperson Johnathan Shiflett said in an email that the governor is “assessing the situation” and no decision has been reached on whether to grant a pardon.Lamb’s stepfather, Aqil Bey, during an October 18, press conference asked Parson to think about Lamb when deciding whether to pardon DeValkenaere.“We pray that he take into consideration who Cameron Lamb was, what he would offer this city and could offer this city as an upstanding citizen (and) as a father to his children,” Bey said.Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project founder Steve Young asked supporters to call Parson and request that he not pardon DeValkenaere.“He has one foot in and one foot out (of jail),” Young said. “Who gets that kind of privilege?”DeValkenaere, who is white, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">found guilty</a>&nbsp;in 2021 in the death of Lamb, who was parking a pickup truck in his backyard in Kansas City when the officer shot him.The judge who found DeValkenaere guilty in a bench trial said police were the initial aggressors and had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.Prosecutors and Lamb’s family have alleged a handgun was planted after the shooting, but that issue was not addressed by Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge J. Dale Youngs when he convicted the detective.On October 16, a three-judge panel ruled unanimously there had been enough evidence to convict DeValkenaere. He had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">sentenced to three years</a>&nbsp;in prison for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.Police said DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, went to Lamb’s home after reports he'd been chasing his girlfriend’s convertible in a stolen pickup truck. DeValkenaere said he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective. The judge said the officers had no probable cause to believe any crime had been committed, had no warrant for Lamb’s arrest, and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property.-The Associated Press contributed to this report

Ex-KC officer who killed Black man moved to prison

A victim is being treated after a stabbing in the early
morning hours Thursday in the 1000 block of Lincoln Street in St. Joseph.

St. Joseph police are releasing little information on the
stabbing as the investigation is in its early stages. At present, the victim is
said to be stable under treatment at Mosaic Life Care. Police have a suspect in
custody.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA victim is being treated after a stabbing in the early
morning hours Thursday in the 1000 block of Lincoln Street in St. Joseph.St. Joseph police are releasing little information on the
stabbing as the investigation is in its early stages. At present, the victim is
said to be stable under treatment at Mosaic Life Care. Police have a suspect in
custody.

St. Joseph stabbing victim hospitalized

A St. Joseph woman suffered serious injuries when struck by a
vehicle near the intersection of South 169 Highway and Pear Street.

St. Joseph police report a northbound vehicle on 169 struck
the victim, who is in her 50s, shortly before seven o’clock Wednesday night.
The initial investigation indicates the pedestrian was in the roadway when
struck. Police say she suffered significant injuries and is being treated at
Mosaic Life Care.

Police say the driver of the vehicle has cooperated in the
investigation.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph woman suffered serious injuries when struck by a
vehicle near the intersection of South 169 Highway and Pear Street.St. Joseph police report a northbound vehicle on 169 struck
the victim, who is in her 50s, shortly before seven o’clock Wednesday night.
The initial investigation indicates the pedestrian was in the roadway when
struck. Police say she suffered significant injuries and is being treated at
Mosaic Life Care.Police say the driver of the vehicle has cooperated in the
investigation.

Pedestrian suffers serious injuries when struck by vehicle in St. Joseph

Gabriel Shipton said the United States should drop the prosecution of his brother on espionage charges because his work was ‘journalistic activity’

By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

COLUMBIA, Mo. — After fighting extradition to the United States for more than four years, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jun/09/julian-assange-dangerously-close-to-us-extradition-after-losing-latest-legal-appeal">one more chance to convince British judges</a>&nbsp;that espionage charges against him are an unjust political prosecution.

If extradited and convicted, the Australian who created a website to share leaked government documents could be sentenced to 175 years in a federal prison.

But before that unscheduled court date, half-brother Gabriel Shipton said Monday to The Independent, the Department of Justice should drop the case.

Shipton was in Missouri this week for screenings of the pro-Assange 2020 documentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/90OIGGpfHDo?si=zkXb_6ZibrKkbP-V">“The War on Journalism: The Case of Julian Assange.”</a>&nbsp;He also participated in a panel discussion at the University of Missouri Journalism School, and is heading to Washington, D.C., this week at the same time as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to lobby on his brother’s behalf.

“Speaking to a source, communicating with a source, helping a source not get caught for supplying information to a journalist, is just journalistic activity,” Shipton said. “And so that’s why you have these people like the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://freedom.press/news/is-julian-assange-a-journalist-heres-why-it-doesnt-matter/">Freedom of the Press Foundation</a>, or the ACLU, calling for the Biden administration to drop this because of the fact that it criminalizes these activities.”

Assange is charged with 17 federal crimes in the Eastern District of Virginia, accused of organizing a network to obtain classified materials and making those materials available to unauthorized people.&nbsp;The materials exposed airstrikes targeting civilians in the Iraq War, rules of engagement for U.S. forces and cables that showed what U.S. diplomats thought of their host countries around the world.

The unauthorized people who saw the materials, many provided to Wikileaks by U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, were the general public, both directly and through the news stories generated worldwide by the revelations.

The imminence of a final decision in Britain, and the visit of Albanese to Washington for meetings with Biden, has put a greater focus on Assange in recent weeks. Before he became prime minister, Albanese was a vocal supporter of dropping the charges against Assange and is expected to discuss the case with Biden.

Fox News reported Monday that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-members-urged-bipartisan-letter-join-demands-biden-drop-julian-assanges-case">Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and James McGovern, D-Mass</a>. are circulating a letter in the U.S. House seeking bipartisan support for releasing Assange. Also on Monday, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://themessenger.com/opinion/why-australian-lawmakers-want-united-states-free-julian-assange">online news outlet The Messenger</a>&nbsp;published an opinion piece by three members of the Australian Parliament, each from a different party.

“The fact that the American who breached U.S. military secrecy laws and every U.S. publisher is free, but one Australian continues to suffer, is deeply insulting to our country and contrary to the Australian notion of a “fair go,” wrote the trio, which included a former deputy prime minister.

On Friday, the local assembly in Rome voted to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/julian-assange-be-made-honorary-citizen-rome-2023-10-19/">make Assange an honorary citizen</a>&nbsp;by early next year, Reuters reported.

Most of the events that became the subject of Assange’s indictment occurred in 2010 and the Department of Justice under President Barack Obama decided not to prosecute Assange. Manning was jailed for accessing the documents and has since been released after being imprisoned for seven years.

President Donald Trump’s administration reversed that decision and Assange was indicted in 2019, with a second, broader indictment issued in 2020.

For Obama, Shipton said, the issue was called The New York Times problem.

The Obama Administration’s thinking was “if we go after Julian Assange, we have to go after the New York Times, because they did the same thing,” Shipton said. “And then under the Trump Administration it became the New York Times solution, where prosecuting Assange means that we can have more control over the media.”

The screening Monday evening at the University of Missouri School of Journalism drew about 50 students, faculty and others for a panel that also included Gabe Rottman, director of the Technology and Press Freedom Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Kathy Kiely, Lee Hills Chair in Free Press&nbsp;Studies, and Jared Schroeder, a professor of journalism specializing in First Amendment law.

The panel discussed how the Espionage Act, passed as the U.S. entered World War I, has been used and whether charging Assange puts journalists in danger if they report on government secrets.

Kiely said she doesn’t consider Wikileaks to be a journalistic endeavor. During 2016, she noted, Wikileaks released documents that included Democratic National Committee emails just before the July 2016 Democratic National Convention. The site did the same thing again an hour after the Washington Post revealed that then-candidate Donald Trump had told an entertainment reporter that he could grab women’s genitals because he was a television star.

One email she recalled, by John Podesta, chairman of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, morphed into accusations that a business named Comet Pizza was the headquarters of a child sex ring. In December 2016, an armed man was arrested at the pizza parlor after firing a weapon to close the non-existent sex ring.

A real journalist screens information before publishing, she said.

“When people use publication irresponsibly, real reporters suffer the backlash,” Kiely said.

In response, Shipton said publishers put out reports when they will have maximum impact.

Throughout the event, and the interview, Shipton sought to keep the focus on his brother and efforts to free him. His health has deteriorated, he is not allowed to make public statements and he has not been allowed to attend court proceedings in his case since the beginning of 2021.

“This is part of the dehumanization of Julian,” he said during the panel discussion. “They are taking him away from view to make what happened to him more palatable to the public.”

This story was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/24/brother-of-julian-assange-visits-missouri-to-push-for-release-of-wikileaks-founder/">produced by Missouri Independent</a>, an affiliate of States Newsroom.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698261231440.png" alt=" Gabriel Shipton of Australia, half-brother of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, speaks during a panel discussion Monday at the University of Missouri-Columbia about Assange’s effort to regain his freedom and avoid U.S. espionage charges. Shipton was joined by, from left, Kathy Kiely, professor of journalism, Gabe Rottman, director of the Technology and Press Freedom Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Jared Schroeder and Mark Horvit, professors of journalism. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Gabriel Shipton of Australia, half-brother of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, speaks during a panel discussion Monday at the University of Missouri-Columbia about Assange’s effort to regain his freedom and avoid U.S. espionage charges. Shipton was joined by, from left, Kathy Kiely, professor of journalism, Gabe Rottman, director of the Technology and Press Freedom Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Jared Schroeder and Mark Horvit, professors of journalism. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Gabriel Shipton said the United States should drop the prosecution of his brother on espionage charges because his work was ‘journalistic activity’</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>COLUMBIA, Mo. — After fighting extradition to the United States for more than four years, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jun/09/julian-assange-dangerously-close-to-us-extradition-after-losing-latest-legal-appeal">one more chance to convince British judges</a>&nbsp;that espionage charges against him are an unjust political prosecution.If extradited and convicted, the Australian who created a website to share leaked government documents could be sentenced to 175 years in a federal prison.But before that unscheduled court date, half-brother Gabriel Shipton said Monday to The Independent, the Department of Justice should drop the case.Shipton was in Missouri this week for screenings of the pro-Assange 2020 documentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/90OIGGpfHDo?si=zkXb_6ZibrKkbP-V">“The War on Journalism: The Case of Julian Assange.”</a>&nbsp;He also participated in a panel discussion at the University of Missouri Journalism School, and is heading to Washington, D.C., this week at the same time as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to lobby on his brother’s behalf.“Speaking to a source, communicating with a source, helping a source not get caught for supplying information to a journalist, is just journalistic activity,” Shipton said. “And so that’s why you have these people like the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://freedom.press/news/is-julian-assange-a-journalist-heres-why-it-doesnt-matter/">Freedom of the Press Foundation</a>, or the ACLU, calling for the Biden administration to drop this because of the fact that it criminalizes these activities.”Assange is charged with 17 federal crimes in the Eastern District of Virginia, accused of organizing a network to obtain classified materials and making those materials available to unauthorized people.&nbsp;The materials exposed airstrikes targeting civilians in the Iraq War, rules of engagement for U.S. forces and cables that showed what U.S. diplomats thought of their host countries around the world.The unauthorized people who saw the materials, many provided to Wikileaks by U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, were the general public, both directly and through the news stories generated worldwide by the revelations.The imminence of a final decision in Britain, and the visit of Albanese to Washington for meetings with Biden, has put a greater focus on Assange in recent weeks. Before he became prime minister, Albanese was a vocal supporter of dropping the charges against Assange and is expected to discuss the case with Biden.Fox News reported Monday that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-members-urged-bipartisan-letter-join-demands-biden-drop-julian-assanges-case">Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and James McGovern, D-Mass</a>. are circulating a letter in the U.S. House seeking bipartisan support for releasing Assange. Also on Monday, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://themessenger.com/opinion/why-australian-lawmakers-want-united-states-free-julian-assange">online news outlet The Messenger</a>&nbsp;published an opinion piece by three members of the Australian Parliament, each from a different party.“The fact that the American who breached U.S. military secrecy laws and every U.S. publisher is free, but one Australian continues to suffer, is deeply insulting to our country and contrary to the Australian notion of a “fair go,” wrote the trio, which included a former deputy prime minister.On Friday, the local assembly in Rome voted to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/julian-assange-be-made-honorary-citizen-rome-2023-10-19/">make Assange an honorary citizen</a>&nbsp;by early next year, Reuters reported.Most of the events that became the subject of Assange’s indictment occurred in 2010 and the Department of Justice under President Barack Obama decided not to prosecute Assange. Manning was jailed for accessing the documents and has since been released after being imprisoned for seven years.President Donald Trump’s administration reversed that decision and Assange was indicted in 2019, with a second, broader indictment issued in 2020.For Obama, Shipton said, the issue was called The New York Times problem.The Obama Administration’s thinking was “if we go after Julian Assange, we have to go after the New York Times, because they did the same thing,” Shipton said. “And then under the Trump Administration it became the New York Times solution, where prosecuting Assange means that we can have more control over the media.”The screening Monday evening at the University of Missouri School of Journalism drew about 50 students, faculty and others for a panel that also included Gabe Rottman, director of the Technology and Press Freedom Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Kathy Kiely, Lee Hills Chair in Free Press&nbsp;Studies, and Jared Schroeder, a professor of journalism specializing in First Amendment law.The panel discussed how the Espionage Act, passed as the U.S. entered World War I, has been used and whether charging Assange puts journalists in danger if they report on government secrets.Kiely said she doesn’t consider Wikileaks to be a journalistic endeavor. During 2016, she noted, Wikileaks released documents that included Democratic National Committee emails just before the July 2016 Democratic National Convention. The site did the same thing again an hour after the Washington Post revealed that then-candidate Donald Trump had told an entertainment reporter that he could grab women’s genitals because he was a television star.One email she recalled, by John Podesta, chairman of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, morphed into accusations that a business named Comet Pizza was the headquarters of a child sex ring. In December 2016, an armed man was arrested at the pizza parlor after firing a weapon to close the non-existent sex ring.A real journalist screens information before publishing, she said.“When people use publication irresponsibly, real reporters suffer the backlash,” Kiely said.In response, Shipton said publishers put out reports when they will have maximum impact.Throughout the event, and the interview, Shipton sought to keep the focus on his brother and efforts to free him. His health has deteriorated, he is not allowed to make public statements and he has not been allowed to attend court proceedings in his case since the beginning of 2021.“This is part of the dehumanization of Julian,” he said during the panel discussion. “They are taking him away from view to make what happened to him more palatable to the public.”This story was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/24/brother-of-julian-assange-visits-missouri-to-push-for-release-of-wikileaks-founder/">produced by Missouri Independent</a>, an affiliate of States Newsroom.

Brother of Julian Assange visits Missouri to push for release of Wikileaks founder

TOPEKA — A Kansas sex offender was sentenced Wednesday to 37 months in prison for directing a third party to illegally purchase a firearm for him, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Jonathan Lee Hunt, 34, of Hiawatha pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting another in providing false statements in the acquisition of a firearm.

In April 2021, Hunt instructed another person to submit false information in order to purchase a Taurus, Model G3, 9mm pistol on his behalf. Hunt is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior qualifying felony conviction.

Hunt has previous felony convictions for theft, burglary, drugs and has been listed as a registered sex offender since 2010 for an attempted indecent liberties with a child conviction in Leavenworth County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698273332660.png" alt="Hunt has been listed as a registered sex offender since 2010" />
 <figcaption>Hunt has been listed as a registered sex offender since 2010</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — A Kansas sex offender was sentenced Wednesday to 37 months in prison for directing a third party to illegally purchase a firearm for him, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Jonathan Lee Hunt, 34, of Hiawatha pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting another in providing false statements in the acquisition of a firearm.In April 2021, Hunt instructed another person to submit false information in order to purchase a Taurus, Model G3, 9mm pistol on his behalf. Hunt is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior qualifying felony conviction.Hunt has previous felony convictions for theft, burglary, drugs and has been listed as a registered sex offender since 2010 for an attempted indecent liberties with a child conviction in Leavenworth County.

 NE Kan. sex offender sentenced for illegal firearm purchase

Republicans in Washington put their difference behind them to
unite in elevating Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson as Speaker. Johnson was
the fourth Republican nominee after the first three fell to the same Republican
in-fighting that led to the unprecedented ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy of
California.

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves offered his support to
the new Speaker, calling Johnson a consistent and passionate champion of
conservative principles. &nbsp;

Graves, in a written statement released by his office, says he
looks forward to working alongside him to secure the border, cut spending, and
deliver the promises Republicans made to the American people.

Johnson won election on the first ballot with support from all
Republicans. Johnson is described by many deeply religious and even-keeled.
Johnson has few foes and an important GOP backer: Donald Trump.

“I think he’s gonna be a fantastic speaker,” Trump said
Wednesday at the New York courthouse where the former president, who is now the
Republican front-runner for president in 2024, is on trial over a lawsuit
alleging business fraud.

Trump said he
hadn't heard “one negative comment about him. Everybody likes him.”

Three weeks on
without a House speaker, the Republicans have been wasting their majority
status — a maddening embarrassment to some, democracy in action to others, but
not at all how the House is expected to function. No business can be conducted in the United States House of Representatives without a Speaker duly elected by the entire body.

Republican Conference Chair Congresswoman Elise Stefanik rose to
introduce Johnson's name as the party nominee, Republicans jumped to their feet
for an extended standing ovation.

Democrats again
nominated their leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, criticizing Johnson as
an architect of Trump's legal effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election
he lost.

Johnson received important endorsements leading to his election.
Two high-ranking House Republicans who failed in their bid to succeed McCarthy
backed Johnson, Congressman Jim Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chair, and
Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the fellow Louisiana congressman.

Johnson's rise comes after a tumultuous month, capped by a
head-spinning Tuesday that within a span of a few hours saw one candidate,
Congressman Tom Emmer, the GOP Whip from Minnesota, nominated and then quickly
withdraw when it became clear he would be the third candidate unable to secure
enough support from Republican colleagues.

Attention quickly turned to Johnson. A lawyer specializing in
constitutional issues, Johnson had rallied Republicans around Trump’s legal
effort to overturn the 2020 election results.

Deeply religious, Johnson is affable and well liked, with a
fiery belief system. Colleagues swiftly started giving their support.

“Democracy is
messy sometimes, but it is our system,” Johnson said after winning the
nomination. “We’re going to restore your trust in what we do here.”

Florida
Congressman Matt Gaetz, who led a small band of hard-liners to engineer
McCarthy's ouster at the start of the month, posted on social media that “Mike
Johnson won’t be the Speaker the Swamp wants but, he is the Speaker America
needs.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698259516414.jpeg" alt="Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks after he was chosen as the Republicans latest nominee for House speaker at a Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks after he was chosen as the Republicans latest nominee for House speaker at a Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWe have a new Speaker of the US House.Republicans in Washington put their difference behind them to
unite in elevating Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson as Speaker. Johnson was
the fourth Republican nominee after the first three fell to the same Republican
in-fighting that led to the unprecedented ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy of
California.Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves offered his support to
the new Speaker, calling Johnson a consistent and passionate champion of
conservative principles. &nbsp;Graves, in a written statement released by his office, says he
looks forward to working alongside him to secure the border, cut spending, and
deliver the promises Republicans made to the American people.Johnson won election on the first ballot with support from all
Republicans. Johnson is described by many deeply religious and even-keeled.
Johnson has few foes and an important GOP backer: Donald Trump.“I think he’s gonna be a fantastic speaker,” Trump said
Wednesday at the New York courthouse where the former president, who is now the
Republican front-runner for president in 2024, is on trial over a lawsuit
alleging business fraud.Trump said he
hadn't heard “one negative comment about him. Everybody likes him.”Three weeks on
without a House speaker, the Republicans have been wasting their majority
status — a maddening embarrassment to some, democracy in action to others, but
not at all how the House is expected to function. No business can be conducted in the United States House of Representatives without a Speaker duly elected by the entire body.Republican Conference Chair Congresswoman Elise Stefanik rose to
introduce Johnson's name as the party nominee, Republicans jumped to their feet
for an extended standing ovation.Democrats again
nominated their leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, criticizing Johnson as
an architect of Trump's legal effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election
he lost.Johnson received important endorsements leading to his election.
Two high-ranking House Republicans who failed in their bid to succeed McCarthy
backed Johnson, Congressman Jim Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chair, and
Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the fellow Louisiana congressman.Johnson's rise comes after a tumultuous month, capped by a
head-spinning Tuesday that within a span of a few hours saw one candidate,
Congressman Tom Emmer, the GOP Whip from Minnesota, nominated and then quickly
withdraw when it became clear he would be the third candidate unable to secure
enough support from Republican colleagues.Attention quickly turned to Johnson. A lawyer specializing in
constitutional issues, Johnson had rallied Republicans around Trump’s legal
effort to overturn the 2020 election results.Deeply religious, Johnson is affable and well liked, with a
fiery belief system. Colleagues swiftly started giving their support.“Democracy is
messy sometimes, but it is our system,” Johnson said after winning the
nomination. “We’re going to restore your trust in what we do here.”Florida
Congressman Matt Gaetz, who led a small band of hard-liners to engineer
McCarthy's ouster at the start of the month, posted on social media that “Mike
Johnson won’t be the Speaker the Swamp wants but, he is the Speaker America
needs.”The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Congressman Graves backs new US House Speaker Mike Johnson

United Way of Greater St. Joseph officials want to hear from the public about what is standing in the way of finding childcare options.  

St. Joseph is one of six communities in Missouri selected to complete a Childcare and Early Education Community Planning project survey.  

President Kylee Strough says the data from the survey will help paint the picture of the current state of childcare and early childhood education experiences. 

"From there we'll talk about what do we desire for the community and then how do we get there?" Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And we've got a team of stakeholders that are helping with this, so the next time they reconvene will be to look at all the data that has been gathered." 

Officials are seeking input in the survey from families that struggle to find childcare, employers, and childcare providers. 

Strough says with the study they're seeking a better understanding of what the problem is.  

"We hear over and over again that people have a hard time finding childcare, so we just need to understand a little bit deeper what does that mean when you have a hard time finding childcare," Strough explains. "Is it that there wasn't space available for your child, is it that you couldn't afford it, is it that the hours weren't right for you, what does that mean?" 

Strough says they often hear that there are lots of childcare facilities in St. Joseph, the problem comes in all of them being filled up. 

"So, if you call today and want to get your child enrolled in childcare, you may not be able to find a provider who actually has a space that they can accept your child," Strough points out. "What we don't see a lot of, is childcare providers raising their prices because they demand is so high, they can, we really see that childcare providers are trying to keep it as affordable as possible for families." 

Strough says they don't see any childcare providers taking advantage of the supply and demand issue to make it work in their favor, despite childcare being expensive by its very nature. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post United Way of Greater St. Joseph officials want to hear from the public about what is standing in the way of finding childcare options. St. Joseph is one of six communities in Missouri selected to complete a Childcare and Early Education Community Planning project survey. President Kylee Strough says the data from the survey will help paint the picture of the current state of childcare and early childhood education experiences. "From there we'll talk about what do we desire for the community and then how do we get there?" Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And we've got a team of stakeholders that are helping with this, so the next time they reconvene will be to look at all the data that has been gathered." Officials are seeking input in the survey from families that struggle to find childcare, employers, and childcare providers. Strough says with the study they're seeking a better understanding of what the problem is. "We hear over and over again that people have a hard time finding childcare, so we just need to understand a little bit deeper what does that mean when you have a hard time finding childcare," Strough explains. "Is it that there wasn't space available for your child, is it that you couldn't afford it, is it that the hours weren't right for you, what does that mean?" Strough says they often hear that there are lots of childcare facilities in St. Joseph, the problem comes in all of them being filled up. "So, if you call today and want to get your child enrolled in childcare, you may not be able to find a provider who actually has a space that they can accept your child," Strough points out. "What we don't see a lot of, is childcare providers raising their prices because they demand is so high, they can, we really see that childcare providers are trying to keep it as affordable as possible for families." Strough says they don't see any childcare providers taking advantage of the supply and demand issue to make it work in their favor, despite childcare being expensive by its very nature.

United Way seeking solution to chilcare shortage in St. Joseph

The USDA is extending the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program to Monday, October 30. The agency wants to allow more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed weather-related disaster recovery assistance. 

The program compensates dairy producers who dumped or removed milk without compensation from the commercial milk market in 2020, 2021, and 2022 because of qualifying weather events. Eligible causes of loss also include consequences of those weather events, such as power outages, impassable roads, and infrastructure losses. 

“We recognize that MLP benefits are critical to the financial recovery of dairy operations significantly impacted by weather-related disasters that inhibited their ability to deliver or store their milk,” says FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We know that dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment and hope this MLP application deadline extension ensures that all dairy farmers in need of assistance will now have adequate time to apply for help.”

The USDA is extending the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program to Monday, October 30. The agency wants to allow more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed weather-related disaster recovery assistance. The program compensates dairy producers who dumped or removed milk without compensation from the commercial milk market in 2020, 2021, and 2022 because of qualifying weather events. Eligible causes of loss also include consequences of those weather events, such as power outages, impassable roads, and infrastructure losses. “We recognize that MLP benefits are critical to the financial recovery of dairy operations significantly impacted by weather-related disasters that inhibited their ability to deliver or store their milk,” says FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We know that dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment and hope this MLP application deadline extension ensures that all dairy farmers in need of assistance will now have adequate time to apply for help.”- NAFB

USDA extends deadline for milk loss assistance program

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Tuesday in Brown County.

A 2013 Chevrolet Impala driven by Sirena Wahquahbashkuk of Horton was northbound on Kansas 20 highway and rear-ended a&nbsp;2011 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Tara Speer of Horton, who was turning north on&nbsp; U.S. 73, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Hiawatha Town and Country transported Wahquahbashkuk to Amberwell with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; Both vehicles were totaled.&nbsp;  Everest First responders were immediately on the scene.  Iowa police assisted.&nbsp;Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Tuesday in Brown County.A 2013 Chevrolet Impala driven by Sirena Wahquahbashkuk of Horton was northbound on Kansas 20 highway and rear-ended a&nbsp;2011 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Tara Speer of Horton, who was turning north on&nbsp; U.S. 73, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Hiawatha Town and Country transported Wahquahbashkuk to Amberwell with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; Both vehicles were totaled.&nbsp; Everest First responders were immediately on the scene. Iowa police assisted.&nbsp;Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

One hospitalized after NE Kansas rear-end crash

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves expects the 139th
Airlift Wing, based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, to get
upgraded planes, eventually.

Graves says the announcement that the Air Force passed over
the 139th in favor of four other Air National Guard bases to receive
the new, C-130J is a disappointment, but not devastating.

Graves says the Rosecrans base scored well on the Air Force
inspection, but fell short primarily in its fuel capacity and ramp space for
the new cargo planes.

“In the short term, it’s going to take about a million and a
half dollars to get those things done to have preliminary C-130Js out there,”
Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Long term, it’s going to take about $54
million to do the big things that we need to do. So, we’re taking a good, hard
look at that.”

Graves says even at $54 million, the price tag isn’t out of
reach for the 139th. And Graves points out that would be enough to shore
up all its shortcomings.

“That is to make it the absolute perfect and get high marks in
everything,” according to Graves. “So, we’re not going to be able to achieve all
of that, but we are going to do what we can to try to fix some of the things
right away.”

Receiving the cargo plane upgrades, the latest C-130 model,
the C-130J Super Hercules, is seen as a necessary step to insure the long-term
viability of the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing base at
Rosecrans.

Graves doesn’t perceive the air base is in jeopardy, primarily
because it houses the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. Graves even
speculates the 139th might be a victim of its own success as the
only center to train C-130H crews.

The Air Force has announced the next round of C-130J models
will go to Air Guard bases in Connecticut, Montana, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Graves shrugs off the deficiencies found in the Air Force evaluation
of the Air Guard base at Rosecrans.

“You’re not going to get perfect marks on everything,” Graves
says. “Every place that was evaluated, they had deficiencies as well in other
areas. But this new runway is a huge positive that’s being installed out there.
This new runway is a huge plus for the base. And then, the work that we’re
doing to move the base to the north end, where it’s higher and out of the flood
plain, that’s a huge positive for us as well.”

Rosecrans Memorial Airport has been undergoing an overhaul
with a new main runway, a new terminal, and a new air traffic control tower all
expected to soon be built there.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698176352554.jpeg" alt="C-130H cargo planes at the 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph/file photo" />
 <figcaption>C-130H cargo planes at the 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves expects the 139th
Airlift Wing, based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, to get
upgraded planes, eventually.Graves says the announcement that the Air Force passed over
the 139th in favor of four other Air National Guard bases to receive
the new, C-130J is a disappointment, but not devastating.Graves says the Rosecrans base scored well on the Air Force
inspection, but fell short primarily in its fuel capacity and ramp space for
the new cargo planes.“In the short term, it’s going to take about a million and a
half dollars to get those things done to have preliminary C-130Js out there,”
Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Long term, it’s going to take about $54
million to do the big things that we need to do. So, we’re taking a good, hard
look at that.”Graves says even at $54 million, the price tag isn’t out of
reach for the 139th. And Graves points out that would be enough to shore
up all its shortcomings.“That is to make it the absolute perfect and get high marks in
everything,” according to Graves. “So, we’re not going to be able to achieve all
of that, but we are going to do what we can to try to fix some of the things
right away.”Receiving the cargo plane upgrades, the latest C-130 model,
the C-130J Super Hercules, is seen as a necessary step to insure the long-term
viability of the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing base at
Rosecrans.Graves doesn’t perceive the air base is in jeopardy, primarily
because it houses the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. Graves even
speculates the 139th might be a victim of its own success as the
only center to train C-130H crews.The Air Force has announced the next round of C-130J models
will go to Air Guard bases in Connecticut, Montana, Minnesota, and Illinois.Graves shrugs off the deficiencies found in the Air Force evaluation
of the Air Guard base at Rosecrans.“You’re not going to get perfect marks on everything,” Graves
says. “Every place that was evaluated, they had deficiencies as well in other
areas. But this new runway is a huge positive that’s being installed out there.
This new runway is a huge plus for the base. And then, the work that we’re
doing to move the base to the north end, where it’s higher and out of the flood
plain, that’s a huge positive for us as well.”Rosecrans Memorial Airport has been undergoing an overhaul
with a new main runway, a new terminal, and a new air traffic control tower all
expected to soon be built there.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Sam-Graves-still-thinks-the-139th-will-get-new-planes-e2b0q59" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Graves says not getting new planes a blow, not devastating to 139th Airlift Wing

A St. Joseph teenager faces a murder charge, accused of
shooting to death another teenager in June.

A second-degree murder charge has been filed against
17-year-old Kaden Wilfong in the death of 15-year-old Carter Smith of St.
Joseph.

St. Joseph police found Smith dead near the REC Center at 28th
and Commercial Streets during the early morning hours of June 15th.

Officers began to suspect Wilfong after obtaining video from
the scene and downloading information from Smith’s phone. A search of Wilfong’s
home recovered several guns, bloody clothes, and a bloody bag. A witness
identified Wilfong as involved in the shooting.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph teenager faces a murder charge, accused of
shooting to death another teenager in June.A second-degree murder charge has been filed against
17-year-old Kaden Wilfong in the death of 15-year-old Carter Smith of St.
Joseph.St. Joseph police found Smith dead near the REC Center at 28th
and Commercial Streets during the early morning hours of June 15th.Officers began to suspect Wilfong after obtaining video from
the scene and downloading information from Smith’s phone. A search of Wilfong’s
home recovered several guns, bloody clothes, and a bloody bag. A witness
identified Wilfong as involved in the shooting.

St. Joseph teen faces murder charge in shooting death of another teen

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Monday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner driven by Earl L. Miller, 58, Clinton, Iowa, was southbound on Interstate&nbsp; 35 one mile north of Holt.

The vehicle brakes locked. The semi slid off the&nbsp; west side of the road, struck a guardrail and overturned down an embankment

&nbsp;EMS transported Miller and a passenger Vickie L. Miller, 65, Clinton, Iowa, to Liberty Hospital. They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Monday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner driven by Earl L. Miller, 58, Clinton, Iowa, was southbound on Interstate&nbsp; 35 one mile north of Holt.The vehicle brakes locked. The semi slid off the&nbsp; west side of the road, struck a guardrail and overturned down an embankment&nbsp;EMS transported Miller and a passenger Vickie L. Miller, 65, Clinton, Iowa, to Liberty Hospital. They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 hospitalized after semi overturns down embankment

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before noon Monday in Holt County.

The Missouri State. Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Peterbilt semi driven by Joshua M. Asher, 44, St. Joseph, was northbound on Interstate one mile south of Corning.

The front passenger tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, traveled down an embankment and into a field.

Atchison-Holt EMS transported Asher to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before noon Monday in Holt County.The Missouri State. Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Peterbilt semi driven by Joshua M. Asher, 44, St. Joseph, was northbound on Interstate one mile south of Corning.The front passenger tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, traveled down an embankment and into a field.Atchison-Holt EMS transported Asher to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

St. Joseph man injured in crash after semi's tire blows

The eighth annual Coffee for a Cure set another record year bringing in just over $18,000 in sales and tips at The Human Bean in St. Joseph.&nbsp;

The Human Bean took in $18,129.57 during the event on Friday October 20th, which is a more than $7,500 increase from last year's event.&nbsp; With a match from the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary the grand total for Coffee for a Cure is 36,259.14 which benefits the Mosiac Life Care Auxiliary Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.&nbsp;

In 2022, CFAC generated $21,051.88.&nbsp;

Coffee for a Cure happens every October. Nationwide, The Human Bean of St. Joseph has raised $2.6 million in the past 16 years to benefit breast cancer causes in local communities like ours. The money raised at The Human Bean in St. Joseph stays in the region.&nbsp;

Over the past seven years, The Human Bean has donated about $55,000, and the Auxiliary has matched that, for a total of almost $110,000.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe eighth annual Coffee for a Cure set another record year bringing in just over $18,000 in sales and tips at The Human Bean in St. Joseph.&nbsp;The Human Bean took in $18,129.57 during the event on Friday October 20th, which is a more than $7,500 increase from last year's event.&nbsp; With a match from the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary the grand total for Coffee for a Cure is 36,259.14 which benefits the Mosiac Life Care Auxiliary Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.&nbsp;In 2022, CFAC generated $21,051.88.&nbsp;Coffee for a Cure happens every October. Nationwide, The Human Bean of St. Joseph has raised $2.6 million in the past 16 years to benefit breast cancer causes in local communities like ours. The money raised at The Human Bean in St. Joseph stays in the region.&nbsp;Over the past seven years, The Human Bean has donated about $55,000, and the Auxiliary has matched that, for a total of almost $110,000.&nbsp;

Coffee for a Cure event records another record breaking year

St. Joseph is home to one of the only registered horse hospices in the entire state of Missouri.  

Sharon Bryant with the Albee Farm says the hospice is different from most horse rescues, which normally take in horses and rehabilitate them.  

Bryant says at The Albee Farm they take in disabled and chronically ill horses looking for ways to treat various diseases 

"We put them on clinical trials with some universities that we have a very good relationship with to help develop data and research on those diseases so that we can help not only the horses that are in our care but also horses around the world and around the country so that they will have the medicines they need should they develop these conditions later on in life," Bryant tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. 

The hospice offers several interactive clinics and workshops to also teach people about horses. 

Bryant says the clinical trials conducted provide data for horses all across the country that develop these diseases.  

Most of the diseases that we have clinical trials for, anything from osteoarthritis, which is very common to navicular disease, lymphoma, all kinds of things like that," Bryant explains. "So, even though the horses may not last very long, the research lasts forever, so the research is primarily what our mission is, is to get that research." 

Bryant says the hospice is different from a horse rescue in that they don't go look for horses but rather they take in horses from people looking to get rid of them.  

Bryant says on top of all the normal farm chores the clinical trials are a lot of work 

"We have to take vitals usually four to six times a day, we have to administer the drug, it has to be gender specific, it has to be breed specific, it could have a different effect on an Arabian Mare under the age of five than a Thoroughbred Gelding over the age of 20, so they're very specific and we have to keep those records," Bryant says. 

Bryant says they then upload and download all this data to keep track of the trial and how things are working.  

The farm relies on area businesses and donations to continue running and treating these horses. You can learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://thealbeefarm.com/">theAlbeefarm.com</a>.

A major fundraiser for the farm will be coming up on November 11th as they will host a father daughter dance at the Stoney Creek Inn.  Tickets can be purchased online. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph is home to one of the only registered horse hospices in the entire state of Missouri. Sharon Bryant with the Albee Farm says the hospice is different from most horse rescues, which normally take in horses and rehabilitate them. Bryant says at The Albee Farm they take in disabled and chronically ill horses looking for ways to treat various diseases "We put them on clinical trials with some universities that we have a very good relationship with to help develop data and research on those diseases so that we can help not only the horses that are in our care but also horses around the world and around the country so that they will have the medicines they need should they develop these conditions later on in life," Bryant tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. The hospice offers several interactive clinics and workshops to also teach people about horses. Bryant says the clinical trials conducted provide data for horses all across the country that develop these diseases. Most of the diseases that we have clinical trials for, anything from osteoarthritis, which is very common to navicular disease, lymphoma, all kinds of things like that," Bryant explains. "So, even though the horses may not last very long, the research lasts forever, so the research is primarily what our mission is, is to get that research." Bryant says the hospice is different from a horse rescue in that they don't go look for horses but rather they take in horses from people looking to get rid of them. Bryant says on top of all the normal farm chores the clinical trials are a lot of work "We have to take vitals usually four to six times a day, we have to administer the drug, it has to be gender specific, it has to be breed specific, it could have a different effect on an Arabian Mare under the age of five than a Thoroughbred Gelding over the age of 20, so they're very specific and we have to keep those records," Bryant says. Bryant says they then upload and download all this data to keep track of the trial and how things are working. The farm relies on area businesses and donations to continue running and treating these horses. You can learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://thealbeefarm.com/">theAlbeefarm.com</a>. A major fundraiser for the farm will be coming up on November 11th as they will host a father daughter dance at the Stoney Creek Inn. Tickets can be purchased online.

One of Missouri's only horse hospices is right here in St. Joseph helping horse across the world

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two accidents that sent a St. Joseph man to the hospital.

Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, a&nbsp;2015 Chrysler 300&nbsp; driven by Reuben Torres, 22, St. Joseph, was southbound&nbsp;in the 1300 block&nbsp; ofUnity, at the K-7 curve, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Due to speed the vehicle failed to negotiate the curve and struck the guardrail, went air borne, traveled down a hill and landed on its side in a wooded area. 

EMS transported Torres to Amberwell Hospital and he was later transported by helicopter to a Kansas City hospital, according to Wilson.

The accident remains under investigation. Police also investigated an accident involving the same vehicle and driver that occurred in the area of Royal Road and Cardinal Circle where a cable box and a mailbox were struck. This hit and run accident occurred just prior to the K-7 and Unity accident and also remains under investigation.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two accidents that sent a St. Joseph man to the hospital.Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, a&nbsp;2015 Chrysler 300&nbsp; driven by Reuben Torres, 22, St. Joseph, was southbound&nbsp;in the 1300 block&nbsp; ofUnity, at the K-7 curve, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Due to speed the vehicle failed to negotiate the curve and struck the guardrail, went air borne, traveled down a hill and landed on its side in a wooded area. EMS transported Torres to Amberwell Hospital and he was later transported by helicopter to a Kansas City hospital, according to Wilson.The accident remains under investigation. Police also investigated an accident involving the same vehicle and driver that occurred in the area of Royal Road and Cardinal Circle where a cable box and a mailbox were struck. This hit and run accident occurred just prior to the K-7 and Unity accident and also remains under investigation.

Police: St. Joseph man airlifted to hospital after 2 accidents

North Central Missouri College has expanded well beyond its
Trenton campus with agreements stretching from St. Joseph to Maryville,
including an investment in Savannah.

North Central President Lenny Klaver says the expansion has
helped the college grow and better serve its 17-county region in north-central
and northwest Missouri.

Klaver sees great potential in the Savannah campus, which
recently opened.

“There are already questions over there whether we are going
to add more to that facility, which I think we will eventually in terms of more
general classroom space,” Klaver tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Right now, the
campus is pretty much a few general education courses, but mainly our nursing which
is our very strong program.”

Savannah also is offering classes in high-skilled
manufacturing that offer the potential of employment immediately upon
completion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698079440232.jpeg" alt="North Central Missouri College - Trenton campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College" />
 <figcaption>North Central Missouri College - Trenton campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorth Central Missouri College has expanded well beyond its
Trenton campus with agreements stretching from St. Joseph to Maryville,
including an investment in Savannah.North Central President Lenny Klaver says the expansion has
helped the college grow and better serve its 17-county region in north-central
and northwest Missouri.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698079509562.jpeg" alt="North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College" />
 <figcaption>North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College</figcaption>
 </figure>Klaver sees great potential in the Savannah campus, which
recently opened.“There are already questions over there whether we are going
to add more to that facility, which I think we will eventually in terms of more
general classroom space,” Klaver tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Right now, the
campus is pretty much a few general education courses, but mainly our nursing which
is our very strong program.”Savannah also is offering classes in high-skilled
manufacturing that offer the potential of employment immediately upon
completion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698079565185.jpeg" alt="North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College" />
 <figcaption>North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College</figcaption>
 </figure>North Central has partnered with Missouri Western State
University to build the Convergent Technology Alliance Center on the St. Joseph
Campus. It also has signed agreements with Northwest Missouri State University to
ease the transfer of students to the Maryville campus.Klaver says the Convergent Technology Alliance Center is
designed to train students for the high-skilled manufacturing jobs in such high
demand today.“So, what we try to do as a community college is to be nimble
and flexible, listen to market trends, and talk to our partners in industry and
education on how we can meet those needs,” Klaver says.North Central had an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students when Klaver arrived about seven years ago and was given the task to increase enrollment. It now stands just short of 1,850 with 240 at its new Savannah branch. North Central's nursing program, once split between Bethany and Maryville, has been consolidated in Maryville. North Central operates on a $14.5 million annual budget.North Central isn’t just a training ground for high-skilled
labor. It continues to provide the general studies needed to prepare for a
four-year degree.“So, it’s important that we serve both,” Klaver says. “We’re
blessed to have two universities in the area that we’ve worked with very well
and we just hope to continue to meet those needs and to keep our ear to the
ground to see what the market trends are and how we can meet those.”In addition to the agreements signed with Northwest, North
Central has similar agreements with Missouri Western to smooth the transition
from the two-year school to the four-year institution.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/NCMC-Continues-to-Grow-e2auus2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>This article has been updated since first published.

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